| Equation | (# patients enrolled in program) x (Q1:Impact of program on substance abuse) x (Q2: Impact of substance abuse on employment) x ($ average annual earnings employed low-income) |
| Explanation
| This metric estimates the impact of peer support programs for individuals living with a substance abuse disorder on increased earnings. This analysis examined interventions provided by a peer specialist to individuals with substance abuse disorders. One study was included in this analysis. This study examined the impact of a brief motivational intervention provided by a peer specialist for individuals using heroin and cocaine. The study participants were screened and identified at walk-in general health clinics. Number of patients enrolled: Reported by program. Q1: Impact of program on substance abuse: [0.23]. Q1 is estimated as the (percentage enrolled because of the program) x (percentage effect of program on substance abuse), where the percentage enrolled because of the program is based on findings that only about 10 percent of people who need substance abuse treatment actually receive it (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2012). The percentage effect of program on substance abuse (program impact) is [-0.25] (WSIPP, 2018). The resulting impact is (0.9 x 0.25 = 0.23). Q2: Impact of substance abuse on employment: [0.14]. Q1 is estimated as the (percentage impact of substance abuse on the probability of employment) x (employment rate of population of interest), where the percentage impact of substance abuse on employment is [-0.29] (WSIPP, 2017). The employment rate of low-income individuals is [47%] (U.S. Census Bureau, 2018). The resulting impact is (0.29 x 0.47 = 0.14). Average annual earnings of employed low-income individuals: [$13,500]. This is estimated using ACS data for the Twin Cities metropolitan area (U.S. Census Bureau, 2016). We assume one year of additional income. In this metric, we use earnings of employed low-income individuals instead of all low-income individuals since the effect size refers to the impact on employment. |
| References | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2012). Results from the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Mental Health Findings, NSDUH Series H-45, HHS Publication No. (SMA) 12-4725. Retrieved from: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/2011MHFDT/2k11MHFR/Web/NSDUHmhfr2011.htm U.S. Census Bureau. (2016). American Community Survey 5-year estimates – public use microdata sample, 2012-2016. Generated using Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) in the Seven-county Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. U.S. Census Bureau. (2018). American Community Survey 5-year estimates – public use microdata sample, 2013-2017. Generated using Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) in the Seven-county Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. Washington State Institute for Public Policy. (2017). Benefit-cost technical documentation. Olympia, WA: Author. Retrieved from: http://www.wsipp.wa.gov/TechnicalDocumentation/WsippBenefitCostTechnicalDocumentation.pdf Washington State Institute for Public Policy. (2018). Retrieved from: http://www.wsipp.wa.gov/BenefitCost/Program/336 |
HEA031 Peer support for individuals with substance abuse disorder leading to increased earnings
